Explosive-engine.



PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

M. C. KESSLER. EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATIONFILED $2212.24. 1904.

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J W M :v W 4% No. 824,936. PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

M. G. KESSLER EXPLOSIVB ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 24. 1904.

B SHEETS'SHBET 4.

ewtoz wwmwoeo gm No. 824,936. PATENTED JULY 3, 1906. M. c. KESSLER.EXPLOSIVE ENGINE.

APPLICATION TILED SEPT.24. 1904.

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KESSL lit iVlO'IOR COMPANY, DENVER,:(JOLORA'DG.

sxetoslvs-sne'lns.

1 on whom it may concern;

' cityand county of Denver and State of Colo- E rado, have inventedcertain new and usefuldo declare the following to be a full, clear,

. Be it known that I, MAnrisC. KESSLER, acitizen ot the United States,residing in the Improvements in Explosive-Engines; and .l

"and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the to theaccompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference markedthereon,-which form a part of this.

specification.

My invention relates to improvements in' ex losive engmes, my ob e ctbeing to no- Vii e an apparatus of this class which sha be more ethcientthan those heretofore in use.

" The distinguishing feature of my nvention consists in the employmentof chambers located outside of'the piston-chamber,

. in whichchambers the gas or explosive mixture is compressed durin themovement of the cylinder-piston in one direction. In my improvedconstruction asmgle cylinder is employed, and there are two auxiliarychamberslocated adjacent the cylinder-chamber,

the auxiliary chambersbeing alternately in communication with thecylinder-chamber.

In my construction there is an explosion for' the piston.

During the movement of the piston in one Q pressed in one of th in theother auxiliary chamber.

' explosion takes place in direction the gas or explosive mixture iscomauxiliarv chambers, the this direction by the taken place During themovement of the piston inthe opposite direcpiston being driven in forceof an explosion which has the products of combustion are forced out othe cylinder-chamber by the piston through a valve-controlledexhaust-port, the exhaustvalve being mechanically opened at the propertime to permit this result. At or about the time theexhaust is completedan the auxiliary chamber, wherethe gas was compressed by the firstforward movement of the piston, again driving the piston forward and comressing the gas in the auxiliarychamber, in w ichthc first explosiontook place. next rearward stroke ofthe piston thcexhaust againcontinued. It will thus he seen that as the Specification of LettersPatent. Application and s mba 24, 1904. sis. N6. 225.774.

Then (lining the f takes place and this operation is Patented July 3,1906.

gas is compressed entirelyontside of the cylg inder-chamber the pistonis allowed to travel practically the entire length of thecylinderchamber, since it is not necessary any space between the pistonand the cylinder-head for compressed gas, as in ordinary constructions.Moreover, the explosion may be so timed as to take place in either auxiiury chamber before the valve controllihg the inlet from theauxiliarychamher to the cylinder-chamber has been opened, and the oening of the valve may be so timed as to a low y the force of theexplosion to act onthelpiston at any desired point of its strokeregardless of the exact time when the-explosion takes place.

Having briefi r outlined my improved construction, as well as thefunction it is intended to perform, 1 will proceed to describe the samein detail, reference being made tothe accompanying drawings, in. whichis illustrat'ed an embodiment thereof.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of an explosive-engineequipped with my im-. provements. Fig. 2 is a to plan view of the same.Fig. 3 is a rear on view of the ma 1 chine. Fig. 4 is a central verticalsection taken through the engine. side view of the front head of thecylinder. Fig. 6 is a similar view of tlierear head. Figs. 7, 8, and 9are sections taken oh the lines 7 7, 8 S, and 9 9, res actively, ofFigs..3 and 6. Fig. 10 is an insi 0 view of the-eam-gear and i theconnections employed in operating the i exit-valves of the auxiliarychambers. Fig. 11 is a section taken on the line 11 l1, Fig. 2, lookingin the direction of the'arrow 1 and illustratin the cam mechanism for upcrating the ex must-valve of the'cylind'er. f 5 Figs. 12 and 13 aresectional views in detail,

. illustrating the valves for controlling the inlet and exit passages ofthe auxlliarycliarm bers.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the views.

provided with front and rear heads 6 and i 7, the said-headsbeingsecured in lace by l suitable bolts 8. The material of tlie cylinder isreinforced on one side and in this reinforced portion are located twoauxiliary chambers, (designatedl) and 9, respectively.) These chamberscommunicate with the cyli indcr-chamber by way of inlet-passages 10 toleave Let the numeral 5 designate the cylinder Fig. 5 is an inand andthese passages are controlled by valves 11 and 11, which are alternately5 to pass first to one chamber and'then to the other. .The cylinder isprovided with suitable water-jackets-and is connected with acrank-chamber 12 by means of'a tubular part 13, in which is located across-head 14,

IQ connected with a pitman 1-5 at one extremity and with a stem 16 ofthe cylinder-piston 17- at the op ositeextremity. The pistonstem passest ough a stuffing-box construction 18,:v'vhich projects into thecylinder, and

is supported by a-"part 19, which enters the hollow piston-when thelatteris at its for- I 'ward limit of -movement. The part .13 .is

" pocrl nected with the forward'head of the cylm er.

:0 Within-the "crank-chamber 12 is located a crank 19, connected with ashaft 20, passing centrally through the-said chamber. One

extremity-ofgthisshaft is provided with a fly-Wheel 21, while to theother extremity 5 is attachedja gear 22, meshing witli a larger gear 23,fastiona spindle 24, mounted exteriorly on: the crank-chamber This gear24 is providedjononefside'iwith a cam-groove 25, whichjis engziedgby'aprojection 26, sup-v d ported bya'a; l1 votallg' connectedwithethe frameart 3 'as" 's own amt-28;; Connectedwith e lq'wet extremity of the o necw th Thisl'ever 3'1tis P&. "13,-- as shown" at 32,'and rojefctsbotfulcrum. e'ni th direction, thele er H I valve 11- to open the-letter,whilewhen the said rod 'mo'vesinthe opposite direction the lever'actson'the'steini .o' f the valve l1 to 0 en the'same'; These'valves'areheld nor-1 mally closed 33, p which engage 3 collars 34, fast?;the,va .lve-'stems at one extremity,whil

' str g beats refore, normally hold the flhiefispringsfiith valves vrvalvell is'op'em'the :ex'pltjsivemixture is Iiforced by way'of thep'assa eIOinto the auxis open, the explosive-mixture is, forced from thecyliner-chamber byway ofthe passage 10 into the auxiliarychamber.9.-'

On'fthe op osite sideof the gear 23 is formed a cam-groove 35, 'in'which is located.

a projection '36, supported byla link 37. With this rojection is alsoconnected a rod 38-, which 40 and adapted to alternately act on-valvesf41 "and 41, whereby passages-42 and 42* maybe opened and closed atwill'for the' purpose of admitting gas from the chambers 6 9. and 9?alternately to the piston-chamber.

'- extremit vided with an exhaust port 9 whoseextremity remoteopen'e tlever '55,

ove and below-the 29' is moved in one;

lower extremity is pivotal the engine-frame, as shown at 60.

eppjiositeextremities of the Y st the head' of the cylinder.-

in theclosed .positioin j 'When the va ve 64, whose stem is iliarychamber 9', wh le-w en'th'evalve 11 s *c Each'chamber 9 9 is ea-ds to alever 39, fulcrumed at These valves are normally closed' by coi'lsprings 43, whose outer extremities bear 'against stops 44 of the stems45, while their inner extremities bear against the rear head of thecylinder. As shown in the drawings, (see Figs; 1'2 and 13,) each stem 45is connected with a bushing 46, located' within a chamber 47-andprovidedwith packing .to form a fluid-tight joint. The valve-stemproper, 48, en'ters an opening formed in the bushing and is connectedwith the bushing by a key 49, which asses through registering openingsforme. in-the casing 47 and the I bushin'g46 and through a slotformed-in the tvalve' stem proper, whereby the Valve is allowedsuflicient movement for purposes of automatic adjustment or to allow itto properly seat itself. As shown in the drawings, each casing-$7 isprovided at its outer with a screw-plug 47, through which t e stem 45passes.

be dispense valves 11, 1 1,141, and 41 are-all ofthe same construction.

The rear extremity of the normally closed bya valve 50, provided .with astem 51, having adisk 52 at itsouter extremity, the said being-acted onby a ;.rounding.-the casing '54, through which the J This exhaust-valveis coil-spring 53, survalve stem' passes. oughthe instrumentality of avfulcrumed at 56 and having one arm coimectedwitha rod 57, asshown at58. IThe extiemity of this rod remote from the 'leverisv-engaged by acam-59, fasten the shaft 201 The extremity of the rod adjacent a link60, whose. y'con'nected with f Every' the cam59 is supported byAttention is called to the fact that this screwlug is not necessary andmay with. It maybe stated that the'mechanism of the cylinder is pro timethe-shaft 20 makes a. complete revolu is opened to permitthe-products ofcombustion and'gases to escape from the cylinder.

=tion or every time the cylinder-piston makeh a complete. reciprocationthe exhaust-valve The explosive mixture is-conducted to thecylinder-chamber by way-of an inlet-pi e 61,

a assage 62, and a port 63, controlle by a acted on-bym coil-'- ring 65,which normally has a tendency to ose the valve;

, plosive mixture in the chamber ignited.

penetrated by an a izo From the foregoing description the use andoperation of my improved explosive-engine.

will be readily understood. Assuming that the piston 17 is at itsrearward limit of move'.

'ment and; the cylinder-chamber has been filled with the explosive fluidmixture by the opening otthe valve 64,. which opens in respcnsetothesuction producedbv' the.rearmovement of thepiston during this movementof the piston-.the -exhauit-valve has been opened. throughtheinstrunientality of the, mechanism heretofore describedfthus allowingthe exhaust or the-products of com" 'hustion and gasesto passthrough andout to is atm osphere; At onapproximately at the e that the pistonreachesits rearward limit oi novemcnt the; valve-.41 is openedthroughthe instrumentality of. the lever '39-&I1d-ltS- 1 connections, thecam-groove 35 being so regulated as to produce this result.- Previously66,.and the force'of the explosioncommuni- ,cat'es with thecylinder-chamber-b .way of or approximately at the time the valve, 41pens asparh is produced in'the chamber 9 -u ougl the instrumentality ofits'electrode the passage 42 and the valvecontro led port.

,( .flhisexplosion acts on the piston 17 to drive thelatter forwardlyontoward the right, referring tohigs. 1,2, 4, 7, 8, and 9 of thedrawings.

As' soon as the piston begins its forward shovement the induction valve64 closes both through the action of its spring and the pistompressure,At the same time the explosive mixture driven from the chamber of thepiston thiough a passage 10 into the i I chamber 9, the valve 11' beingmechanically openedidhrough the instrumentality of the lever 31 and itsconnections. As soon as the piston reaches ts forward hunt-of movementit begins the return or rearward stroke, and

' into the cylinder-chambefithrough tmn-pipepassage, and port-61, 62,and 63, IP")0tl1 ly. As sooner approximately as the exhaustvalve 503smechanically opened through the mechanism heretofore described. Duringthis rearward movement of thepiston -another charge of explosive mixtureis drawn the inducon as the piston has reached its rearward limit of mrpement an explosiomtakeeplace' i -the aux iiiry chamberi9"-' through thein strurnentality of the electrode 66, connected th the said chamber.Thisexplosion com v -rnunicates with the cylinder-chamber by way zjof apassage -i-2 and the port controlled by the valve 41?, the saidvalve-being opened by 4 ithe lever 39 and its connections; 'The force oftr e explosion drives the 'piston forward rend forces the chargeofexplosive mixture in the cylinder-chamber Into the chamber 9, andduringitscontinued use the operation emitters described is re eated. P

Y Attention is called tot e fact'that th'eg'ear containstwice as manycogs as the gear 22.

1 :I-ience the cam-gear 23 only makes one revolution for two revolutionsof the crank-shaft 20,

and this is as it should be, since the exhaustvalve, which is directlycontrolled by a cam on the crank-shaft, must 0 )en during'eyeryrevolution of the crank-shart or complete reciprocation of'the piston,While the valves 11, ii, i and ar are each only opened once during eachtworevolutions of the crank-shaft. In-

other'ivords, assuming that when the piston g has reached its rearwardlimit ofrnovement thezexplosion talics :plzice i'n'thc'auxiliary Ichamber9:.and the valve 41 is opened to allow the explosive force to acton "the piston, drivingthe'latter forwardly, the valve 1 I will beopened-to allowthe explosivennixturc to en- -ter.;the chamber 9*." Thenwhen the piston reachesitsirearward limit =01" movement thenext'time.ancxplosionwill take place in the chamberQfi-and the valve e1willlie opened toallow the explosive force to act on the pistonanddrive-it again forwardl and during this forward movement the valvellwill be again-opened to allow the explosive mixture to enter thechamber 9.

' The'mechanisin for controllim the valves 40 and 41* is such that durinthe rearward stroke of the iston the chaniber 9 or 9", in. which the exposion has taken'place, remains open to the cylinder to allow theproducts of combustion to exhaust as thoroughly as pos-.

sible-jnto the atmosphere.

in further explanation of the construction and arrangement of the valves41 and 41 attention is called. to the fact that these valves are soconstructed and arranged that v no tendencv'to open this valve. If itwere not for thisbalanc'ed construction of the valve,

an exceedingly powerful spring would be required in order to prevent thevalve from openine dnring the" action of vthe exploslve force t ereon,It is not intended. that. the springs 43 are of sufficient stren th toprevent the valves from opening, T 1e only object of thesesprings is tohold the valves nor- Hence there is IIO mally seated in the absence offluid-control- S ling influence and prevent them frorn accidentalmovement; Thenormal condition of thesevalves is closed, and the springs43 simply hold' them in this position but it is not sup posed that'theyare of suliicient strength'to resist the action of a high explosiveforce generated in the auxiliary chambers by the ignitionof theexplosive -mixture therein. Hence the necessity for the balanced,structure. This balanced feature is highly important in a mechanism ofthis class, since it is often necessary to ignite the explosive mixturein the auxiliary chambers considerably in ad Vance of the openingof thevalvctoallow the explosive force to enter the cyhndeh-cham her. Thiscondition is necessary when run '45 this time is equal .or approximatening the engine at high'speed. In this case the explosive force may beignited I in the auxiliary chamber a full stroke in advance of thepiston or when the piston is a full stroke from the extremity of thecylinder where the valve is located and where the explosive force is tocommence its action thereon. .In running the engine at lower speeds theigni tion of the explosive mixture in the auxiliary I -chambersis related accordingly, the time of the ignition 1n advance ot the pistonsarrival at the extremity of the cylinder where the force is to beginaction thereon gradually diminishing as the speed diminishes.

The necessity for the variation of .the time of ignitin the explosiveforce in the auxiliary cha-m ers in advance of the iston makes itexceedingly important that t e means for controlling the ignition inthese chambers shall be entirely independent of the operation of thevalve mechanism.

It may be further stated that the valves 1 1 and 11 for controlli'n |theentrance of the explosive mixture to t e auxiliary chambers.

} 5 are also balanced and of the same construction as the valves 41 and41*,as heretofore explained. These valves 11 and 11 are Ithereforeopened by mechanical means, the

' compression ofthe iiuid incident to themove- "3 ment of the pistonwith the cylinder-chamber having no tendency to' move the said valves inthe one direction or the other. This makes it practicable to time theopening of the'valves with the utmost accuracy, and therefore accuratelymaintain the proper relation between the opening of these valvs and theo ening of the valves 41 and 41*.

' In furtl ier ex lanation' of the necessity for igniting the exp osivemixture in the auxil- 4 iary-chambers in advance of the piston it may bestated that it requires an appreclable time after ignition of theexplosive mixture v .to generate the maximumexplosive force,

and when the engine is running at high speed y equal to the full time reuire for the piston to travel from one en of the'cylinder to the other..It may also be stated that this time 'is only a small fraction of asecond when the 5 engine is'run 'ng at a speed of two thousandrevolutions per minute. In this event the time required for the pistonto travel from one extremit of the cylinder to the other is ap roximatey one sixty-sixthof a second.

'4 11, 41, and 4:1 of my im roved engine are all arranged to open inwarly.'.- Hence when the valves are seated the explosiveforce actingthereonfrom the auxiliary chambers or from the cylinder-chamber can haveno open- -ing action. These valvesare therefore arranged when closedtoresist the action of the "explosive or other fluid force from bothdirections. 1

the ignition oft e gases in the auxiliary t may be stated also that thevalves 11,

Having thus described my invention, what Iclai is 7 1. In anexplosive-engine,'the combination witha cylinder and piston, of twoauxiliary chambers separated from the cylinder-chamber but incommunication with both extremities of the latter b suitablepassages,valves for controlling saici passages, means for i 'iting the explosivemixture in thexauxi iary chambers, and means for opening the valves toallow the explosive force to pass to the cylin- 7 5 der-chamber from oneof the auxiliarychaim, bers simultaneousl with the passage of theexplosive mixture rom the cylinder-chamber to the other auxiliarychamber, the-valves for admitting explosive forcefrom the auxil- 8,0iary chambers to the cylinderbein indepf'ildent of the means forregulatin t eignition of the explosive mixture in t e auxiliarychambers, whereb the time relation between '8 chambers and the admissionof the explosive 5 force ltlherefrom to the cylinder may be varied at W12. An explosive-engine including'a main 1 cylinder and piston, twoauxiliary chambers communicating at their opposite extremities with theopposite extremities ofthe cylinder, means for controlling saidcommunication, whereby the explosive mixture from the cylinder isadmitted alternately to the'auxiliary chambers, and the explosive forcefrom the auxiliary chambers alternatelyto the cylinder, and meansforigniting the ex losive mixture in theauxiliary chambers, t 0arrangement of the igniting means and the means for admitting theexplosive. force to the cylinder being such that the time relationbetween the ignition of the mixture in the auxiliary chambers and theadmission of the explosive force to the cylinder may be varied at will.

3. The combination in anexplosive-en'gine with a cylinder and piston,of'two auxiliary chambers each of wluch is in communication with bothends of the cylinder biy suitable passages, valves for contrplling sa'ipassages, means for igniting the explosive mixture in the auxiliarchambers: at properly-timed intervals, an means. for controlling thesaid valves so timed that while the explosive force 5;

is passing from one auxiliary chamber to thev cylinder chamber, theexplosive mixture from the cylinder-chamber is being forcedinto theother auxiliar chamber bythe piston, the valves oontro ling theadmissionofsfmo the explosive force to the cylinder being balancedwhereby the explosive-"force in the auxiliary chambers has ,no-infiuencethereon.

- 4. *In an explosive-engine,-the combination with a cylinder andpiston, loftwoauxiliary 12 5 chambers eafe'hof wlnchis in communicationwith both e'n'ds of the cylinder b suitable passages, valves forcontrolling sai passages,

- o .posmg surfaces of equal area, exposed to leans for igniting theexplosive mixture in the auxiliary chambersat properly-timed 1nterwals,an

is passing from one auxiliary chamber into the eylinder, the explosivemixture fromthe cylinder-chamber is being forced into the otherauxiliary chamber by the piston,each of the valves controlling theadmission of the explosive force to the cylinder, having two t eexplosive force of an auxiliary chamber, when the valve is closedwhereby the said force has no tendency to move the valve in eitherdirection.

5. In an explosive-engine, the combination with a suitable cylinder andpiston, of an exhaust-valve connected with the cylinder, aninduction-valve connected with the cylinder, the induction-valve beingopened by suction during the-rearward movement of the piston, twoauxiliary chambers adapted to hold the explosive mixture, means forigniting the explosive mixture in the auxiliary chambers atproperly-timed intervals, the auxiliary chambers being connected withboth ends of the cylinder-chambers bv suitable-passages, valves forcontrolling said passages, means 'for opening the exhaust-valve to allowthe exhaust to escape during the rearward movement of the piston, andmeans for operating the valves controlling the passages between theauxiliary chambers and cy inder-chamber, the operation of the saidvalves being so timed that while the explosive force is passing from oneauxiliary chamber to one end of the cylinder, the explosive mixture isbeing forced out of the other end of the cylinder into the otherauxiliary chamber, the explosions occurring alter 'nately in the twoauxiliary chambers, the

valves for controlling the admission of the explosive force to thecylinder being balanced whereby the explosive force has no influencethereon when closed.

6. In an explosive-engine, the combination of a cylinder, a pistontherein, a crankij-fhamber, a crank-shaft passing therethrough, a pitmanconnecting the crank of the shaft 1. ith the stem of the iston,auxiliary chambers located in suit'ab e proximity to the cylinderchambor and. communicating with both ends thereof by inlet and exitpassages,

tn'o valvesconnected with one head of the' cylinder for controlling theinlet-passages to the auxiliary cl'iambers, two valves mounted means forcontrolling the said. valves so timed that while the explosiveforcevalveof either auxiliary "chamber is open the inlet-valve of the otherauxiliary cham' her is open.

7. In an ex losive -en ginc,-,the combination of a cylin er, a pistontherein, a cranle crankshaft, the cylinder being provided with suitableinlet and exhaust passages,=tne said passages being both open durntgthe:

closed during the forward movementthcreof, two auxiliary chamberslocated in; suitable? proximity to'thc cylinder, each auxiliary chamberhaving apassage leading from each of its extremities to thecorresponding extremities of the cylinder, one of these passages foreach auxiliary chamber being an inlet-passagc and the other passagebeing an outlet-passage, normally-closed valves 5 mounted at one end ofthe auxiliary chambers to control the inletpassages to said chambers,and valves located at the opposite extremities of the auxiliary chambersfor controlling the exit-passages, a lever for controlling each pair ofvalves, a cam-gear actuated from the crank-shaft, and suitableconnections between the camgear and the valveoperating levers wherebythe inlet-valve of either auxiliary chamber and the exit-valve 95' ofthe other auxiliary chamber are open at the same time, the other twovalves in the meantime remaining closed.

8. in an explosive-engine, the combination with the main chamber andpiston, of a 100 plurality of auxiliary chambers, means for compressingthe explosive mixture in the auxiliary chambers, means for controllingthe ignition of the said fluid within the said chambers, the auxiliarychambers being con- 5 nected with the piston-chamber by suitablepassages, and valves for controlling said passages whereby the explosiveforce is allowed to enter the piston-chamber from the auxiliary chambersat proper intervals, the said no valves being independent of the meansfor controlling the ignition of the explosive mix ture in. the auxiliarychambers.

9. In an explosive-engine, the combina tion with the 'main chamber andpiston, of a i S plurality of explosion-chambers communicating with themain chamber. by valve-controlled passages, means for su plying the explosion-chambers with an explbsive mixture,

means for igniting the explosive mixture 120 within the saidchambers,means for admit ting the explosive force to the main chamber from theseveral explosion-chambers succcssivelyfand at proper. intervals toimpart the reciprocating movement to the piston, 5

the means for admitting the explosive force from the explosion-chambersto theimain' chamber, being controlled independently of the means forigniting the explosive force in the explosion-chambers whereby the time3 0 chamber, a crankshaft therein, a suitable I connection between thepiston and the y anism' actuated iromthe crankrshaft for al- 3relation'between the said ignition and admission events may bewvariedatwill.

10. In an explosive-engine, the combina: tion of a cylinder, a pistontherein, auxiliary chambers located in suitable proximity to thecylinder-chamber and communicating With both ends thereof by inlet andexit passages, two valves for controlling the inletpassages to theauxiliary chambers, two

vvalves for controlling the exit-passages fiom the auxiliary chambers,and suitablemechternatcly operating'thevalyes of each pair,

7 the operation of the valves" being so tuned that. when the exit-valveof either auxiliary '15 chamber is opened, the inlet-valve oftheotherauxiliary chamber is opened. t

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.x MARTIN O. KESSLER.

- Witnesses: v A. J. OBRIEN,- W. J LA TOURRETTE.

